After Hours With Naomi: Signs of Summer

[Our signs of summer include a refreshing seasonal beer and citrus patio accents: 1. Great Lakes Brewerey Orange Pale Ale, 2. Marimekko for Crate and Barrel Appelsiini Green umbrella (9' round), 3. Nine Space Ayrika Bamboo Fouta Towel in Orange, 4. Philosophy Here Comes The Sun™ Age-Defense Gradual Glow Self-Tanner For Face, 5. cb2 Mariposa butterfly chair, 6. Westelm Square Lacquer tray in Peridot, 7. Marimekko Green Green cushion cover]

I stopped by my local pub (conveniently called The Local) for an after work drink last week, and to my pleasant surprise, I noticed that my favourite summer beer—Great Lakes Brewery’s Orange Peel Ale—was back on tap. A sure sign (to me at least!) that Summer is on its way.

While many would write of this beer on sight as yet another fruity “chick drink”, quite frankly, that would be their loss. This is a great, refreshing, medium bodied ale, with just a hint of bitter orange at the end, perfect for patio drinking (and a great accompaniment to chicken wings)!  Small-batch brewed right here in Toronto, Orange Peel Ale is part of Great Lakes Brewery’s seasonal series of beers, and is only available in the summer months. You can buy it either at the brewery, or at the LCBO where a 650ml bottle will set you back a mere $4.95. Best served chilled and garnished with a slice of orange.

What's your favourite patio pint? Let us know in the comments.

After Hours With Naomi: Spring In A Glass

Although we have had a relatively mild winter here in Toronto, I must say that I am glad to see that spring seems to be finally here—bringing with it more hours of sunshine and the promise of summer to come (fingers crossed that I haven’t just jinxed it!).  While I’m not yet reaching for a glass of rosé or a caesar (two of my favourite summer drinks), I do find myself yearning for something fresher these days. I was at the LCBO today picking up a bottle of cheap and cheerful white (Santa Rita’s 120 Sauvignon Blanc), when I wandered through the Vintages isles and stumbled across an old favourite: Lillet Blanc.

[Lillet posters illustrated by Mathieu Forichon]

An aperitif wine, Lillet was developed by Paul and Raymond Lillet in 1887, just South of Bordeaux, France. It is a blend of 85 percent wine (from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion and Muscadelle grapes) and 15 percent liqueur (distilled from macerated orange peel and chinchona bark), which is then aged in oak casks. This unique combo gives it a great flavour profile; notes of orange blossom, honey tangerine, cardamom and white pepper are all backed by a great, bright acidity.

Most commonly served chilled over ice with a twist or slice of orange, you may also be familiar with Lillet Blanc from the James Bond films Casino Royale and Quantam of Solace, where it was a key ingredient in the “Vesper” Martini (two parts gin, one part vodka and a half part Lillet).

At only $15.95 in the LCBO, it’s a great value option to keep on hand—due to it’s higher alcohol content (17%) it will keep for several weeks in the fridge.

I have a feeling this is going to be a staple in my fridge from now through to the end of the summer…

Adventures in Cape Town: Babylonstoren

Covet Garden's own Jessica travelled to Cape Town, South Africa earlier this month. She came back with lots of great stories and discoveries to share. This is the last of four posts detailing her adventures.

About an hour's drive from Cape Town, in the foothills of the Drakenstein in the Cape Winelands, is  a restaurant/inn/vineyard called Babylonstoren. 

Babylonstoren could also be called heaven on earth.

[above image: Jessica Reid]

I wish I could spend every sunset drinking in the view (and the wine)!

Partially housed in a converted old Cape Dutch farm house, Babylonstoren is a project of passion for former Elle Decoration editor Karen Roos and husband. The centrepiece of the still working farm is an eight acre garden which supplies produce for the incredible in house restaurant, Babel. According to Roos, the garden was "inspired by the 17th and 18th century company gardens of the Dutch East India Company."  

In the beautifully outfitted guest rooms, Roos preserved the integrity of the Cape Dutch architecture by keeping things relatively minimal. Luxury comes from simple touches like heated, natural wood floors and in suite fireplaces.

[above image: Jessica Reid]

While we didn't stay overnight, nor did we take in the spa, I still felt so relaxed and at peace strolling the grounds. There's just something about the fragrant air and daily rhythms of farm life that felt so welcoming! And despite the fact that I've never been so far from Toronto, I truly felt at home.

[all images, unless noted, via babylonstoren]

After Hours With Naomi: Judging a Bottle by its Label

The saying goes “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.” I’m going to admit it; I often choose a wine based (at least in part) on its label. I know, I know… lots of wonderful things come in ugly packages. But when I’m strolling through the aisles of the liquor store, looking for something new to try, I am often swayed by a pretty face.

There is a long history of great wine labels actually—in 1946 Baron Philippe de Rothschild introduced the practice to Chateau Mouton Rothschild of having the label for each vintage designed by a prominent artist of the day. Artist including Picasso, Warhol, Kandinsky and Canada’s own Riopelle, have all designed labels for these highly sought after wines (check them all out here).

Luckily, these days, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a bottle of wine that tastes as good as it looks. Here are a few of my favourite wine + label combos (note that depending on where you live, these may or may not be available at a liquor store near you). 

This list only scratches the surface of some of the great labels out there—you can check out some more here, and I’d love to hear some of your favourite wine and label combos.

Adventures in Cape Town: Neighbourgoods Market

[image: Neighbourgoods Market]

Covet Garden's own Jessica travelled to Cape Town, South Africa earlier this month. She came back with lots of great stories and discoveries to share. This is the third of four posts detailing her adventures.

I always feel that one of the best ways to suss out a new city is by visiting the local market. Whether it’s the Paris, Brooklyn or Rose Bowl Flea Markets, the market is always a great gathering place for designers, foodies and crafters. Which is why I made a beeline for the Saturday morning Neighbourgoods Market at The Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town’s Woodstock district.

[image: skermunkil]

The market itself is pretty new. Entrepreneurs Justin Rhodes and Cameron Munro, whose aim is to “revive and reinvent the Public Market as a civic institution”, founded it in 2006. It’s housed in a sky lit Victorian industrial building, not like Toronto’s own Distillery District.

One of the goals was that the market would also function as meeting point where the community could exchange ideas and get a farm-to-table education about the food we eat. Neighbourgoods quickly became a Cape Town tradition. Local farmers mix with fine-food purveyors, organic merchants, bakers and distributors, grocers, mongers, butchers, artisan producers and local chefs. You can also find craft brews and fine South African wines.

Local crafters are also part of the mix in the Designgoods Market. It features fashion, jewellery, accessories, furniture, vintage items, textiles, books, ceramics and more. It also helps local designers by promoting their work and giving them a low-overhead venue where they can sell their wares directly to the public.

[image: grandt mason originals]

[image: steffany roup accessory design]

[images: Jessica Reid]

One of my favourite things about the Market is that there is so much to sample. I was only there for a few hours, but I could easily imagine spending the whole day talking to the friendly vendors and hunting for amazing finds. For families, there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. There’s even a special kid’s section.